Tone-modifier.



7 IE. MoLAREN.

TONE MODIPIER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1910.

Patented Feb. 7, 191 1.

v To all whom it may concern:

EDWARD McLARE'r or oexmfm, eemroiam'ap 'roNE-Momrma Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 7.191;.

Application and lime 1s;1910. Serial macaw.

Be it known that I, EDWARD MCLAREN, acitizen of the United States, residing in the city of Oakland, county of Alameda, State of" California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in-Tone-Modifiers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tone modifiers for phonographs and has for its object the modification of the reproduced vibrations en'i'anating from the record through the medium of the reproducing needle and its connections with the I reproducing diaphragm, the sequence being softer in tone without diminishing the number of-reproduced vibrations. I accomplish this by the device illustrated in the drawings appended herewith, in which' I Figure 1 is a front elevation of the reproducer ofthe phonograph, with my device attached and in contact with the vibrator. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the" tone modifier attached to the reproducer but not in contact with the vibrator. Fi

' 4t is a rear view of the modifier detached,

with the fingers extended. Fig. 5 is a similar View with thefingers closedi 'lhe numeral 1 is used to designate-ahol low metal drum having a circular diaphragm 2, to" the approximate center of which is rigidly secured a vibrator arm 3 terminating-in a balanced contact'piece 4, to which is secured the needle v5.

By causing the needle 5 to remain in con tact with a revolving record, the vibration of the record is reproduced through the needle 5, transmitted through the piece 4. and vibrator arm 3 to the diaphragm 2,

v where the vibrations are greatly intensified.

by reason of the greatly increased area of the said diaphragm exposed to the atmosphere. Thus far the, mechanism is common and is such as is commonly used on .all phonographs of the flat disk type.

My invention has to do with the modi fications of the vibrations of the vibrator 3. A spider 6 is adapted to engage the periphery of the drum 1 and has secured to its upper' arm 7 on the rear side, a bifurcated spring 8, terminating in two finders 9, sttid ends being provided with a resilient or vibration absorbing material, preferably rubber. A thumb piece 10 is pivotally secured to the lower portion of thespider 6 extendtcrs Patent is 'ing through the same and terminating in I ashouldered piece 12, which extends be:-

, tweenthefingers 9; The piece 12, when 1 mg with its greater width parallelto t e fingers 9, allows said fingers to close to ether and grip the vibrator arm 3. 'This rin s, the'vibration' absorbing material on t e fingers 9 to come in contact with the vibrator arm 3 and partially absorb the vibrations which have been reproduced therein. While this does not-reduce the rapidity of the vibrationsfit tends to reduce their density, therebyproducing a-softe tone. By making a quarter'revolution of the thumb piece 10, the greater dimension of the shouldered piece'12 is broughtbetween' thefingers 9,

the diaphragm 2. It is obvious that by absorbing a-portion of the vibrations, any' harshness-or mechanical vibrations will be reduced in proportion, giving a softer and more harmonious tone.

The details of construction are so susceptible'te variation, that I do not wish to confine myself to the precise construction shown herein, but rather to avail myself of any .modificationthat may fall properly within the scope of my invention.

Having thus'described'my invention, what I claim asnew'and desire to secure by Let- 1. In a tone modifier, for phonographic reproducers, the combination of a. frame adapted to engage the reproducer, a bifur catedjspring secured to the back of the -frame and ada ted to en age the vibration transmitter an a shoul cred thumb piece interposed between the bifurcations and adapted to separate said bifurcations from contact with the vibration transmitter, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a tone modifier for phonographic. I

reproducers, the combination of a vertical forcing thein apart and out of contact with ;the' vibrator 3, allowing the: full density of the vibrations as reproduced, to pass to r frame having a horizontally disposed bar,

whose ends terminate in spring gr; s, the distance between said grips being s ightly less than the diameter of the reproducer, a verticalbar extending upward from the center of the horizontal bar two spring fingers secured to the back of the verticalbar and extending downward, the lower'ends of the said fingers being provided with vibration absorbing material, a root-angular piece interposed between the fingers and pivotally nature in the presence ,of twp subscribing securedto the horizontal bar, said rectangu- Witnesses.

lar piece adapted to separate the fingers a when turned With its greater Width perpen- EDWARD 5 dicular to the fingers, for the purpose set Witnesses:

forth. ARTHUR L. Sum, In witness whereof, I hereunto set my sig- WALTER E. Roma. 

